QC meeting addresses import, export concerns

24-5-2017

A recent meeting organised by a Qatar Chamber committee on trade has addressed two of the major concerns of the import-export businesses in Qatar ” the increase in import tariff and the mandatory use of drums for shipping large cargoes.

Chaired by QC board member Adel al Mannai and hosted by QC Committee on Trade and Research, the meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Public Health, the General Authority of Customs, Hamad Port officials and representatives of import and export companies.

During the meeting, the businessmen raised a number of issues facing their companies, including the decision of the General Authority for Customs to make drums mandatory for shipping cargoes.

Arguing that drums would reduce the space in containers by 10 to 30 percent, the businessmen told the committee a relaxation would go a long way in easing the process of trade in the country.

In response, Operations and Risk Analysis Dept. at the General Customs Authority, Issa Rashid al Suwaidi, said the Authority has decided to postpone the implementation of this decision until the last quarter of this year.

Suwaidi said the Customs Authority would look into concerns of the companies and promised to act in the best interest of both the business sector as well as the customers.

Responding to concerns raised by attendees on the increase in import tariff, Hamad Port Director Captain Abdul Aziz Nasser al Yafey said the decision would be reviewed and the new tariff would be revealed soon.
He said the new port provides comprehensive services that take into account the interests of traders and importers. The port management, he added, does not seek to complicate procedures, but rather simplifies it through the use 56 electronic systems to reduce time and effort during the release process.

“The port of Qatar has a capacity of 2 million containers. Besides, the first direct shipping line between the Hamad Port and China’s economic capital (Shanghai) has been opened recently,” he added.

Earlier, addressing the meeting, QC Vice Chairman Mohamed bin Ahmed bin Tawar said Qatar has become a global destination for foreign capital in a number of sectors.

“Qatari business community expects more measures from the government to facilitate business environment in Qatar to enhance local companies and attract foreign investments,” he added.